Fewer expeditions to shiver about than last year

Published on 24.09.2008 - General Info

The 2007-2008 season of Antarctic polar expeditions was an exceptional vintage, not so much for the quality of the feats but rather for the originality of the adventures attempted.

For example, there was the major 'Norwegian-US Scientific Traverse of East Antarctica' scientific expedition, which took the route between Troll Station and the South Pole, explaining the progress of its project to the public at large and talking about some of the scientific tasks and experiments it carried out along the way. Talking of which, we have not had any news at all about the second part of this expedition, which was scheduled to take place this season.

Last year also saw an interesting experiment conducted by a team of British teachers. They spent time out on a glacier in the Ellsworth Mountains to acquaint themselves with a great adventure of this type, while putting their professional knowledge to the test in making new discoveries. There was also the opening up of a new route pioneered by the 'Interchange Shackleton South Pole Expedition 2007' expedition. This was inspired by the idea of retracing part of the route that Sir Ernest Shackleton was to have taken towards the South Pole in 1914 just after World War 1 had been declared – but which the shipwreck of his three-master the Endurance prevented from happening.

So, in fact, there was quite a crowd out on the ice last year : A. Hayes, C. Hudson and John Huston, the Frenchman Charles Hedrich who promised us the earth on his route from Berkner Island to the South Pole, but had to give up after 550 km (Hedrich has also announced a world first for next year, with a trip between the North Pole and South Pole), P. Falvey, D. Stoup, etc.

This season, though, there are likely to be fewer people braving the elements out on the frozen continent. For instance, two expeditions have not yet put together the budget they need: Ben Saunders is one, whose 'South' expedition promises "the longest polar expedition in history without being re-supplied" (Berkner Island to the South Pole). Then there's Exeter-based Briton, John Wilton Davis, who is attempting to do the route between Hercules and the South Pole and back. But in his update on 12th September, he was debating whether or not to postpone his adventure until next year. He is also claiming "the longest unsupported polar journey in history". As a short aside on this, it is interesting to note that the only two adventurers who have not yet found the sponsors they need are both trumpeting a 'world first'. So one might well wonder whether sponsors are still being swayed by these so-called 'firsts'...

But let's return to the matter in hand and discuss the four new expeditions scheduled for this season:

• First, there's the German, Armin With, who is attempting to trek unsupported between the Russian Novolazarevskaya base to the South Pole, and perhaps beyond.
• Then there are two medical students from St George's Hospital in London, Rob Conway (30) who is a diabetic, and Toby Williams (24), who has already ridden along the Tour de France route. This time, they plan to attempt a new route from Beardmore Glacier to Patriot Hills, via the South Pole. This route was inaugurated by the famous British explorer, Edward Wilson (1872-1912), who died with his comrades on Robert Falcon Scott's heroic odyssey in 1912. 
• A crossing of the continent departing from Berkner Island to the American base at McMurdo, via the South Pole. This expedition, led by Andrew Regan and Andrew Moon, will be made up mainly of young unknowns. On the logistics side, there will be three vehicles fitted with engines that can run on biofuel, including the Ultralight Concept Ice Vehicle (CIV, see photo), which will act as a pathfinder for the two others. The aim of this project is to make the general public (and especially young people) aware of the fact that the Antarctic is playing a predominant role in climate change.
• a voyage by sailing ship from Patagonia, followed by an expedition aboard kayaks in the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula.

Apart from these more original and noteworthy expeditions, the new season will also see the usual Hercules Inlet – South Pole treks (three of them this season – Richard Weber, Finnish explorer Teemu Lakkasuo and the team of Adam Wilton and Gavin Book), plus three return journeys between Hercules and the South Pole: three clients from the Northwinds travel agency, the duo of Brian Hart and Todd Carmichael, who is on his third trip without any great success in the Antarctic, and who this time around will be attempting a speed record from Hercules to the South Pole and back.

And finally, there will also be a number of clients who are looking to experience the rigours of the Antarctic on the Last Degree expedition. This time, they will be led mainly by the veteran polar guide, Doug Stoup.

From mid-October onwards, the websites linked to all these expeditions will be put online at Explorapoles. We are setting this deadline to see whether or not a lack of funding will force one or other of the projects to postpone their adventure until a later date.

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